1. Revelation 14:12 (ESV)
  2. Exposition

What does the word “here” refer to?

Revelation 14:12 (ESV)

12 Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus.

With the word “here” John challenges his readers to think through the implication of the activities of the three angels just mentioned (Revelation 14:6–11; see also Revelation 13:10, Revelation 13:18). The implication is this: if no force on earth (to which Satan was banned and on which his beasts do their dirty work) could prevent these angels from bringing their heavenly message to people anywhere and everywhere, then the saints have every reason for optimism and confidence; the gates of hell simply shall never silence God’s eternal gospel (Matthew 16:18).